TorchlightReview

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Is it truly a clone if it has the same mommy and daddy?

By Mark Birnbaum

Torchlight is one of those games that you're a little apprehensive about at first. The dungeon-crawling genre has been hacked and rehashed so many times that it can be difficult to distinguish the diamonds from the dirt. Luckily, the same creative masterminds behind Diablo I and II aren't content with resting on their laurels, as they reinvigorate the isometric click-fest extravaganza that gamers have grown to love - thus giving birth to Torchlight.

Gamers are welcomed to a charming and enchanting action-RPG experience that will leave you hooked and itching for more. Slashing and burning enemies is an absolute joy, and at a bargain-bin price of only $20, you really can't go wrong.

Torchlight has old school roots but still feels fresh and current.

Set in the mining town of Torchlight itself, players are first tasked to select from one of three preset character classes, which encompass amalgamations of prototypical RPG fare. First is the Destroyer, who specializes in melee attacks but can also use magical powers. Second is the Vanquisher, who uses ranged weaponry but moonlights as a thief, sneaking about and setting traps. Finally, we have the Alchemist, who is more or less indistinguishable from your run-of-the-mill mage. Despite the apparent simplicity and superficiality of the classes, there is enormous depth to each, and you still get a sidekick to boot.

After selecting the main character, you choose between a canine companion and a feline friend who will accompany you on your journey, aiding in attacks, scavenging loot, and even lugging your undesirables back to town to sell for a quick buck. Your pet will have its own inventory, complete with the ability to don amulets and carry your stuff when you're feeling lazy (or your slots are full). You can also teach it spells to be auto-cast during combat, and even pimp out your pet by harvesting fish throughout the dungeons and transforming it into something a little scarier. The designers did a good job of implementing what is essentially a second playable character, without making the gamer feel worried that either is being neglected. Your pet will fare well on its own, but you'll still need to occasionally drop a potion into its inventory to make sure it doesn't meet a premature death.

Unless you've spent the better part of the last decade and a half living on Easter Island and wondering why the inhabitants built those nifty statues, you're probably familiar with how the game plays, as it follows the lead from its predecessors. It truly is gaming at its simplest: left-click to move your character or attack an enemy (hold it down to keep moving) and right click to cast spells. To keep the high-octane action flowing freely, the interface is appropriately streamlined to allow quick health and mana recharges (you can select shortcuts to appear at the bottom of the screen), as well as balancing your attention between the primary character and the pet.

Just because you're a fighter doesn't mean you can't have hobbies.

Gamers may be skeptical about yet another dungeon crawler (and rightfully so, there have been a few stinkers over the years), but this game is just so damn addictive. Click, click, and click some more, the game is the height of simplicity yet also the zenith of fun gaming. Everything that's great about the genre is here, allowing for a refined and enjoyable experience. You can even create your own items by combining gems with weapons or spells, allowing for some unique

Game designers have long since understood the very basic formula that keeps gamers hooked: if you give it, they will come. By constantly rewarding the players with loot -- scrolls with learnable magic, gold coins, and new weapons, to name a few -- players are consistently made to feel that they're always getting just the right amount of stuff to keep things interesting. Torchlight is an excellent example of just the right balance of distributing both the rarities and the essentials.